Stapling mechanism



J. N. PAGLIARUL STAPLING MECHANISM Filed Sept 4, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

1947- J. N. PAGLIARUL STAPLING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 4, 1944 J. N. PAGLIARUL 294M396 STAPLING MECHANISM Filed ,Sept. 4, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 5.

I mmwm Patented Jan. 14, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STAPLING MECHANISM .Foseph N. Pagliarul, Milwaukee, Wis. Application September 4, 1944, Serial No. 552.644

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in stapling mechanisms, and more particularly to a stapling mechanism incorporated in a Wire stitching machine for paper board boxes of the type wherein the wire is fed intermittently to the stapling mechanism.

A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved and highly efiicient stapling mechanism for securing together overlapping portions of a paper board box, the staples being formed uniformly and of a desired length from a continuous strip of wire from which the staples are successively-cut, formed, inserted through the material, and clinched over, the entire operation being automatic from start to finish.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stapling mechanism in which the length of the staples may be easily regulated and uniformity in the length of the legs of each staple is assured.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stapling mechanism in which that portion of the wire strip which is in advanced position for the formation of a staple is adequately supported during the cutting and forming operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stapling mechanism having means for supporting the legs of the staples against collapse with said supporting means being arranged to recede upon each downward movement of the staple driver.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stapling mechanism wherein the parts are readily accessible for adjustments, repairs and replacements, which is strong and durable, which 25 generally by the numeral l2.

2 has been cut to the proper length for a staple;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front view of the stapling mechanism after the staple has been bent; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view 5 taken on line 66 of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a detail sectional view of the lower portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6 only showing its position in a more advanced stage of staple forming;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view taken on line 99 of Fig. 3.

Inasmuch as the invention is concerned pril5 marily with mechanism for cutting, forming and driving staples, it will not be necessary to describe in detail the box stitching machine inwhich the improved mechanism is incorporated. A will appear from Figs. 1 and 2, the machine includes a massive, hollow, verticaI pedestal Ill on gear shaft I6 by a clutch H. The clutchis operated by a connection [8 extending through the pedestal I!) to a pivotal, spring urged foot treadle I9. Fast 0n the shaft I6 is a large gear 20 engaged by a small gear 2| on the shaft 22 of an is efficient and automatic in operation, and which electric motor 23.

is well adapted for the purposes set forth.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved stapling mechanism and its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. l is a fragmentary front view of the upper portion of a box stitching machine embodying the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine on a reduced scale;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary front view 40 lengths therein.

The forward end of an elongated stretch of wire 26, preferably fiat in cross-section, enters unit I2, as will appear more fully hereinafter, to be successively cut into suitable pre-determined The lengths are subsequently shaped into staples of prescribed form, which staples are driven into superimposed thicknesses of paper board box walls supported on the stitcher bar II. The wire 24 is unwound from a reel 25 which is freely revolubly mounted on a spindle 25 supported from a frame arm 21 extending above the main portion of the machine.

A yielding wire guide and reel brake is indicated generally by the numeral 23. This member of the stapling mechanism With an extent of wire is the subject matter of a co-pending application in position ready to be formed into a staple, parts being broken away and in'section, and the cover of the cam box being open;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 only showing the position of the mechanism after the wire.

and supports the wire unwound from the reel 25 in the manner shown, guiding it to and through a wire feed check 28 and from thence between the adjacent peripheral portions of a pair of feed rollers .30. and 3|. The construction and operation of the feed rollers is the subject matter of another co-pending application. After the wire leaves said feed rollers, which are regulatable and effective to pull desired lengths of the wire from the reel, the wire passes through a curved guide 32 and from thence to the staple cutting, forming and driving mechanism l2.

The staple cutting, forming and driving mechanism i2 includes a rigidly mounted, vertically slotted block 33. In'the upper left hand side of the block (referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5) is a vertical slot in which is vertically slidably mounted a cam bar 34 carrying a roller 35 which is adapted to be engaged by the periphery of the cam i4. As shown in Fig. 8 the roller 35 is carried by the inner end of a pin 36 extended through a slot 31 in the fixed block 33, to permit the movement of the cam bar. Below the bar 34 and laterally adjustably mounted in the block I 3;, by means of a horizontal slot 38 and a shoulder 39 (see Fig. 8) is a knife support 40.

A staple as cut from the intermittently fed wire 24 and before being applied to the paper board box layers includes a horizontal portion and legs at .each end of the horizontal portion which are bent downwardly therefrom by means later to be described. However, the forward extent of the wire must, for the formation of each staple, be supported in a proper position to permit application thereto of the cutting and bending instrumentalities and in a manner so that the staple is of a predetermined size and so that the length of the staple legs are uniform and of the proper size. My co-pending application on Wire stitching feeds explains the manper in which one of the feed rollers may be adjusted to control the length of wire advanced upon each intermittent operation of the wire feeding mechanism. In relation to the present improvements, said arrangement determines the over-all length of a staple and the length of the right leg of a staple (relative to the drawings). Thelength of the other leg of a staple is controlled by lateral adjustment of the knife support and the latter is retained in a properly adjusted position by a clamping bolt 4!.

The advanced forward extent of the .staple forming wire 24 passes through a horizontal guide tube 42 in the knife support 40, bridges a central recess in the block 33, and has a predetermined extent of its free end lodged below a block shoulder 43. The bridging portion of the wire is originally supported within the forward slot 44 of a cylindrical plunger 45.

A knife arm 46, of angular formation, is vertically reciprocably mounted within a slot therefor in the knife support 40. A lateral extension of the member 46 is flush with an inner side face of the member 48 and has reversibly and removably affixed thereto a double edged knife 41. The mounting of the knife 41 permits reversal thereof when its lower work edge becomes dulled, or permits entire removal for resharpening or replacement. An upper horizontal flange 46' of the knife arm projects above the support 40 and is adapted to be engaged for downward movement by the cam operated bar 34. Upon movement of the edge of the cam I 4 away from the roller 35, a confined coiled spring 48, bearing against the under surface of the flange 45', is effective to automatically raise the knife arm 46 and the knife 41' carried thereby.

From the description thus far given it will be obvious that the positively driven cam I4 is so arranged as to engage the roller 35 and drive the bar 3 3 downwardly, whereby the knife arm 4% is quickly depressed to cause the lower edge of the knife ii! to engage and cut the bridging wire 24 adjacent the inner side face of the knife support ti), all as is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It may also be stated that the cam action is so arranged and timed that this cutting operation takes place immediately before subsequent operations, which will be described.

A staple former 49, of bifurcated formation is vertically slidahly mounted within a central slot of the block as. Said former has an inwardly offset upward extension 49 having at its upper end a rearwardly projecting stud 5t carrying a cam roller 5E. The latter lodges within an eccentric groove 52 in a face of the cam l4, so that movement of the cam is effective to raise and lower the former 43 in timed relation to the movements of the other instrumentalities. Within the forward bifurcated portion of the former the upper end of a staple supporter 53 is pivotally mounted.

A staple driver is indicated by the numeral Said driver is in the form of a bar and its lower end portion is slidably mounted in the bifurcated portion of the former 49, in grooves provided therefor, as shown in Fig. 9. The upper end of the driver is adjustably secured to a block 55 which is slidably mounted in the upper central channeled portion of the member 33. There is a pitman connection 56 between the upper end of the slide block 55 and the cam l3 so that turning movement of said cam imparts vertical reciprocatory movement to the driver 54.

The manner in which the forward extent of wire is advanced into the position of Fig. 3 has previously been brought out. It may be stated, however, that a spring-urged plunger 5'? depending from a leg of the former 42 engages the outer free end of the wire and prevents displacement of the same. Through movement of the cam Hi the knife 41 is lowered to the position of Fig. 4 to sever the wire 24 in the proper length for a staple. At this stage the shape of the cam groove 52 in which the former-carried roller 51 is lodged, causes quick downward movement of the bifurcated lower extremity of the former 49 to downwardly bend the opposite end portions of the out wire, the intermediate portion of the out wire being, for a time, supported in the forward slotted end of the cylindrical plimger 45. A predetermined downward movement of the former is, however, effective to cause rearward recession of the plunger 45 to an out of the way position and freein that portion of the cut wire that Was previously engaged thereby. The shape of the forward or nose end of the plunger 45 is apparent from Figs. 3 and 7, it being noted that it has an angled front surface 58, is shouldered at its sides and of reduced breadth so as to fit between the legs of the former, and said shouldered sides are downwardly forwardly inclined, as at 58, to cooperate with complementary rear beveled surfaces 66 on the-lower portions of the former. The result is that when the former comes down because of the cam action and after a piece of wire has been cut and formed into a staple, said complementary shoulders and inclined surfaces are effective to cause a yielding recession of the plunger 45 against the tension exerted by a band spring 68. At this point the plunger is initially pushed in only about 1; of

an inch and still holds the staple which has its bent legs lodged in grooves 54 in the inner surfaces of the former legs. Continued descent of the former takes place as in Fig. 4; yet temporarily the plunger 45 retains its slightly retracted staple engagin position. Action of the pitman connection 55 then brings down the driver 54, and, as the plunger is protruding, the driver reacts against the angled nose portion 58 of the plunger and pushes the plunger to a more retracted position. The staple portion which was engaged by the plunger then lodges in a groove 54 in the bottom edge of the driver and the staple is driven home. Resistance to the action of the driver is thus entirely eliminated. The construction described insures an automatic stepped rearward movement of the plunger so that it will be out of the way of the driver when the driver comes down for its final operational steps. From Figs. 6 and 7 it will be noted that the pivotal supporter 53 is so weighted and mounted that it normally hangs downwardly with its inner lip projected inwardly. It assumes said position, as illustrated in Fig. 6 prior to downward travel of the driver 54. When the former, which carries the supporter 53 is lowered sufficiently, the free inner lip portion of the supporter hangs inwardly between the legs of the former and also between the downturned legs of the formed staple, .providing adequate support for the latter and preventing the same from caving in.

With the above conditions prevailing, the down movement of the driver 54 is accomplished, as previously mentioned and the formed staple is driven through overlapping layers of paper board (not shown) supported on the stitcher bar H and the legs of the staple are clenched over a clencher block 62 on the stitcher bar aiding in the latter. The driver is, of course, lowered at the proper time through turning movement of the cam 13 and the pitman connection. During the downward movement of the driver the former, carrying with it the supporter 53 is further lowered.

Mounted fast on the front of the member 33 is a centrally slotted plate 63 (omitted from certain of the views for clarity), and supported on the outer face of the plate for yielding movement through the slot is a band spring 64 having a curved free lower extremity. At a point during the downward movement of the former 49 and before the full projection of the driver 54 is attained, the outer surface of the supporter 53 will be engaged by the inturned lower extremity of the spring 54 and this will be effective to swing the nose of the supporter 53 inwardly between the legs of the staple being operated on, thus supporting the staple at this stage. Upon further downward movement of the driver 54 it will engage the supporter 53 and swing it forwardly out of the path of travel of the driver, as in Fig. 7, and against the force exerted by the spring 64. Then the driver com- The staples so formed and applied are improved stapling mechanism is incorporated, provides for the automatic, rapid and efficient formation of staples. Due to the adjustable features heretofore noted, including the laterally adjustable, movable block 40 to which the knife is aflixed, the overall length of the staples, as well as the length of the staple legs, may be accurately regulated and uniformity in the lengths of the legs is assured. The cylindrical plunger 45 supports the intermediate portion of each severed stapled strip, and novel and effective means are provided for effecting out-of-theway retraction of the plunger at the time of downward movements of the former and driver. The supporter for the legs of the staples is highly advantageous and the same is automatic in its operation and is moved into and out of effective positions through contact with associated members. The entire mechanism is susceptible of easy disassembly for repairs, adjustments and replacements, and the nature of the knife enhances the usefulness and life thereof. The improved stapling mechanism is furthermore of simple and novel construction and is well adapted for the purposes set forth.

What is claimed as the invention is:

l. A stapling mechanism, comprising a support having a guideway, staple forming and driving members reciprocatably mounted in the guideway, the forming member being bifurcated, a staple holding member reciprocatably mounted at right angles to the guideway and having a slotted and reduced head normally straddled by th bifurcated portion of the forming member, said slotted head temporarily holding a portion of a staple while it is being formed, and coopcrating inclined surfaces on the holding member, the driving member and on the inner portions of the forming member bifurcations to cause progressive, stepped retraction of theholding member during successive movements of the forming and driving members in one direction whereby the driving member engages the staple immediately upon retraction of the staple holding member to a degree where it releases the staple.

2. A stapling mechanism, comprising a support having a guideway, staple forming and driving members reciprocatably mounted in the guideway, the forming member being bifurcated, a staple holding member reciprocatably mounted at right angles to the guideway and having a slotted and reduced head normally straddled by the bifurcated portion of the forming member, said slotted head temporarily holding a portion of a staple while it is being formed, cooperating inclined surfaces on the holding member, the driving member and on the inner portions of the forming member bifurcations, all of which cooperate to cause progressive, stepped retraction of the holding member during successive movements of the forming and driving members in one direction whereby the driving member engages the staple immediately upon retraction of the staple holding member to a degree where it releases the staple, and yielding means to automatically return the holding member to its projected position following movement of the forming and driving members in the opposite direction.

3. A stapling mechanism, comprising a support having a vertical guideway, a bifurcated staple jforming member reciprocatably mounted in the guideway, said forming member having a vertical guideway, a staple driving member mounted in the guldeway of the forming member for reciprothe cylinder head, the driving member andon V inner portions of the forming member bifurcations, all of which are effective to cause progressive, stepped retraction of the cylinder during successive down movements of the forming and driving members whereby the driving member engages the staple immediately after retraction of the cylinder to a degree where it releases the staple, and yielding means to automatically return said cylinder to its projected position following upward movements of the forming and driving members.

4. A stapling mechanism, comprising a support having a vertical guideway, a bifurcated staple forming member reciprocatably mounted in the guideway, said forming member having a vertical guideway, a staple driving member mounted in the guideway of the forming member for reciprocatory movement relative thereto, a staple 8 holding cylinder transversely reciprocatably mounted relative to the support and having a slotted and reduced head normally straddled by the bifurcated portion of the forming member, said slotted head temporarily holding a portion of a staple while it is being formed, cooperating inclined surfaces on the cylinder head, the driving member and on inner lower portions of the forming member, all of which are effective to cause progressive, stepped retraction of the cylinder during successive movements of the forming and driving members in one direction whereby the driving member engages the staple immediately upon retraction of the cylinder to a degree where it releases the staple, yielding means to automatically return said cylinder toits projected position following movements of the forming and driving members in the opposite direction, a staple support pivotally mounted at one end on the forming member so that its other end movably hangs within the forming member bifurcation for staple leg supporting purposes, and means influenced by the reciprocated position of the driving member for causing movement of the depending end of the staple support into and out of the forming member bifurcation.

JOSEPH N. PAGLIARUL. 

